Did you know you can perform percentages in Excel without formulas? The solution is the Quick Analysis tool, a built-in feature that makes these calculations fast and simple. This article will explain how to use it for percentages and cumulative percentages.
What is the Quick Analysis Tool?
The Quick Analysis tool helps you apply common calculations and formatting without formulas. With just a few clicks, you can calculate
- Sum
- Average
- Create charts
- Apply conditional formatting or Sparklines.
- Insert Table or Pivot Table.
If the icon doesn’t appear when you select a range of cells, check your Excel General Options. The option Show Quick Analysis options must be checked.
Step-by-Step: Calculate Percentages in Excel
Follow these steps to calculate percentages using the Quick Analysis tool:
- Select your data. Highlight the numbers you want to analyze. For example, sales numbers for different products.
- Open Quick Analysis. After selecting the data, click the Quick Analysis icon (Ctrl + Q) at the bottom right of your selection.
- Go to Totals. In the Quick Analysis menu, click on the “Totals” tab.
- Open more options. Calculation in rows (yellow icons) are not reachable on the first menu.
- Select % Total. Excel will now show each number as a percentage of the total sum of the data.
How to Calculate Cumulative Percentages Using Quick Analysis
You can also use Quick Analysis for cumulative percentages, which show progressive totals as a percentage of the overall total. The technique is similar to the previous one.
- Select your data. This time, select the previous result; the percentage
- Open Quick Analysis.
- Go to Totals tab.
- Open more options. Calculation in rows (yellow icons) are not reachable on the first menu.
- Select Running Total. Excel will now show the running total of your selection.
Conclusion
Try this trick today and explore other Excel shortcuts for faster workflows! Check out related guides below.
